Fall in Love, Success is Sure to Follow...

I haven't forgotten that this is a blog about bass fishing and selling, but cut me some slack here- it's Valentine's Day- so we have to talk about love! And believe or not it is one of the most relevant themes in bass fishing and selling, or any other career for that matter. Notice I said career, not job. The people who love what they do are the most successful.

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time:

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way.

What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in love, stay in love and it will decide everything."

Attributed to Pedro Arrupe, S.J. (1907-1991)
Superior General of the Society of Jesus 1961-1984

To me that is one of the most complete definitions of love. Father Arrupe's definition drives into the very core of what we are supposed to be, as defined by what we are in love with. And according to him, this is even greater that finding God! How very cool... and eerily self-enlightening.

So what are you in love with? What gets you out of bed in the morning? How do you spend your weekends? What do you read? What breaks your heart...

So where am I going with all of this mush? It's no secret that the Bass Pros love what they do! They have to. It's not about the money- especially at first. There are a handful of guys making "good" money on the Tours, but the rest of them are pursuing a passion! They are spending weekends and evenings traveling across the country... getting up at 3:00 AM to launch their boats. It's what they read... it's who they know. And when they win... or lose by a single ounce, it's what amazes them with joy and gratitude... or breaks their hearts. The guys who don't truly love it never reach the top level of success, because it's too grueling to do for any length of time if you don't have a passion for it, if you don't love it.

The same rule of love applies to our careers as salespeople. Those of us who love our companies, products, jobs, etc. achieve the highest levels of success and personal satisfaction... personal fulfillment.

I'm a lucky guy because I love my wife and daughter, my family, my career, bass fishing and a long list of other things I won't bore you with, but they define me nonetheless.

So, it's Valentine's Day for crying out loud, go out there and "fall in love, stay in love and it will decide everything."